DCCL Division 3 North - 21st June 2003

Clay Cross CC Match Ball Sponsor - Cricketal

Clay Cross 161-8 (Miller 43*, Leatherland 3-39)
Stainsby Hall 158-8 (J Wood 44, Leatherland 34, Branson 3-30)

Clay Cross (22 points) beat Stainsby Hall (7 points) by 2 Wickets

Another report, another question. Name the rock band associated with the sub titles in this match report.

Having A Good Time
It was the start of the Clay Cross Celebration Week and the locals were intent on celebrating. The weather was excellent, the Welfare was demanding £1 per pint and the fun fair was in full swing. The dogs were well and truly out.

Stainsby Hall were also in town.

Don't Believe A Word
Dave Greaves arrived late ..... no change there then.

Bad Reputation
In keeping with events at Derbyshire CCC the pitch inspectors came to pass judgement. 

Branson, Ogden and Carley tried manfully to extract something extra from the pitch as the Stainsby openers, Leatherland and Wood, took the score to 75. Leatherland (34) eventually succumbed in the 27th over.

The Hero And The Madman
D Collard came in at number 3 and had one approach .... to be positive. However, he mis-timed a shot through the on-side and was well caught by Dave Greaves. When T White was bowled by Carley and Branson had Wood (44) caught by Harland, the visitors were in trouble at 91-4 in the 33rd over.

R Krupiak (17) and K Neville (28) began the recovery and took the score to 132 before Krupiak was bowled by the 5th Clay Cross bowler, John Green. Minor contributions towards the end of the innings saw the visitors reach 158-8. 

Half way through his 9th over Andy Ogden was bent double with a back problem. Yet, despite obvious distress, he rejoined the attack for the final 3 overs. "True Grit" (Hey! This was used last week !!)

Jon Branson took 3-39, Andy Ogden 2-28, John Green 2-16 and James Carley 1-33.

Look What The Wind Blew In
Lemon and Nottingham had reached 36 after 14 overs before Collard took a deserved wicket. He had found the edge of the bat on a number of occasions without success. This time T White took the catch at 2nd slip, Lemon was out for 11

Nottingham (20) soon followed, caught by S Cresswell, when trying to work Collard through mid on. Promoted to number 3, Dave Greaves didn't last long and with skipper Greenhalgh falling to a smart catch by wicket-keeper Wood, the home side were 55-4.

Holidays In The Sun (what's a Sex Pistols song doing here?)
James Carley was in a rush to catch a flight and holed out for 28. 83-4. Steve Else, injured earlier, came out to bat with a runner and helped Ian Miller edge the score to 105 before he was Leatherland's 3rd victim. John Green hit a quick 7 runs and then Andy Ogden fell in agony as he skied one to mid off. 112-8.

Cold Sweat
The captain was pacing as Miller and Branson got the home side closer to the target. The newly opened Members Enclosure was quiet, concentrating on the action. The closer his side got, the more pacing the captain did. He was in a right sweat.

The Boys Are Back In Town
10 runs from the 41st over, 7 from the 42nd, 6 from the 43rd and only 2 runs were needed. Branson drove through the off-side and an unlikely 2 wicket victory was secured. Miller (43 not out) and Branson (26 not out) received a heroes welcome.

The Sun Goes Down
Outside the Oak, a bit of rain and the lightweights wanted to go inside. Oh well, the Two Pints tasted fine.

Unsolved Mysteries
1. Did the dogs get back in?
2. Did JC catch his flight?
3. Has Dave Greaves got an alarm clock? If so, does he know how to set it?

Champagne Moment
The winning runs.

The Oak Legend of Gold Man of The Match
Ian Miller - guiding the team home.